Orange-Pecan French Toast Casserole

Ingredients

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons light-colored corn syrup
Cooking spray
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup fat-free milk
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large egg whites
2 large eggs
12 (1-inch-thick) slices French bread (about 1 pound)

Preparation 

Combine brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup; pour into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle chopped pecans evenly over sugar mixture.

Combine rind and next 7 ingredients (rind through eggs); stir with a whisk. Arrange bread slices over pecans in dish; pour egg mixture over bread. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or up to overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°.

Carefully turn bread slices over to absorb excess egg mixture. Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until lightly browned.

Experience

I found that a 9x13 inch dish was a little small for many pieces of french toast, and I used a smaller roll.  However, if you did a larger dish, the pecan topping might be a bit thin.  Also, the orange flavor was very subtle, so I think you could up the orange a bit.

Otherwise, very easy and turned out well.  I'm curious if you broke up the French toast into random pieces how it would be.  I kept the toast intact.

 

Sausage Brunch Casserole

This is a Casserole a co-worker shared with me. We loved it this past Christmas and was a true hit - nothing healthy about it - but so good. Really good after a night of drinking! When you just have that need for sausage, eggs, cheese and crescent rolls....mmmm.....

Sausage Brunch Casserole
Prep Time: 15 MinutesCook Time: 15 Minutes
Ready In: 30 MinutesYields: 12 servings

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 pounds ground pork sausage
1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent roll dough
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 cup sharp cheddar
4 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup milk
1 tsp ground mustard
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. Lay crescent rolls flat in the bottom of the pan. Combine cooked sausage, cheese, eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper; pour over crescent rolls.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, until bubbly and rolls are baked.